May 3, 2013

A skinnier fried ice cream with a sweet crunchy cinnamon topping. Oh-my-word, I can't tell you how good this is!

If you've ever had the Mexican fried ice cream at Chi Chi's, you'll understand this recipe. I always loved the concept of fried ice cream, as a kid I remember ordering it and always found it fascinating that the ice cream didn't melt.

This recipe is a much lighter, healthy version of the original fried version. This isn't fried at all, but it still has that same great taste with the crunchy cinnamon topping, and cold creamy vanilla ice cream (well, actually frozen yogurt) in the center.

This idea came from a fan. She actually made something like this for a party and layered everything in a square pan which is a great idea if you want to serve a crowd, but for portion control, I thought making them in individual servings was better.

To make it light, I bought my favorite fat free vanilla frozen yogurt: Gotta Have Vanilla from Stonyfield; that stuff is sooo good, I actually prefer it over their other brand Oikos. Then I perused the cereal aisle and decided on using crushed Special K as my crust mixed tossed with some cinnamon. If you are gluten free, I would use a gluten free cereal instead. Enjoy your weekend and have a happy Cinco De Mayo!

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. With an ice cream scooper, scoop out 4 balls of ice cream 1/2 cup in size and place on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 2 hours, or overnight, until the ice cream is very hard.

Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, combine the crushed cereal and cinnamon. Using rubber gloves, roll the balls of ice cream in the cereal coating, packing them together into a smooth ball.

Return the coated ice cream to the baking sheet and freeze until ready to serve.

To serve, drizzle with chocolate syrup on top with whipped cream and cherry, if desired.

Turkey Hill also has a very good frozen yogurt line, but I don't know if their distribution radius extends into NY. I can only buy it in one store in my area, so I always load up when I go in. The cashiers probably think I'm nuts.

I'd try a brown rice crispy cereal. Mesa Sunrise might be good as well. Their maple flavor is one of my favorite splurges. I'm not sure any GF cereal would hold up for long in the freezer though. I'd roll and serve right away.

This is such a brilliant idea! We took a friend to Chevy's for her birthday one year, and they brought out a sombrero and fried ice cream for her. We were all surprised that the ice cream didn't melt in the frier too! But I didn't like how greasy it felt, so I'd probably like your un-fried version a lot more!

I used to order fried ice cream for dinner at every single Mexican restaurant as a teenager. Now that I eat healthier, I need to try a healthy version! Great recipe. I think ill try a coconut ice cream with a grain- free granola topping! Yum!;) Thanks for the inspiration!!!

Thank you for posting this wonderful recipe! I am thinking of taking it to a party and I was wondering if you know how long it lasts outside the freezer? My commute to the party is about 30 minutes and I am not sure if it will last all the way there

This is amazing. I could not believe how much it tastes like fried cream! I did use Edys 1/2 fat vanilla bean ice cream instead of frozen yogurt. I also used Special K with pecans and cinnamon. Will keep these in my freezer often. My family loved it.

These look amazing, thank you for so many creative recipes Gina! WIth your help, weight watchers is easy and fun! I have to tell you that Oikos is actually made by Dannon, not Stonyfield, but both make delicious yogurt. Having worked for Dannon previously, I find that a lot of people don't know that they make Oikos.

It's really good made with graham cracker crumbs, too... not sure that that would make this a healthy recipe anymore, but it tastes just like the real thing! I prefer honey to the chocolate syrup... that's always what I got at Chi-Chi's.... miss that restaurant SO much!

I never thought I would eat fried ice cream again! On Cinco de Mayo we made your Salsa Verde Chicken in a taco shell (i cannot find the tostadas but I want them!) followed by this and we felt like we were at an authentic Mexican restaurant! It was sooooo good!

Hi I'm in the UK and we just don't have this mexican fried ice cream concept,This is a tasty recipe but now I have heard about "fried ice cream" i can accept no substitute.So can anyone tell me a) where to find a Mexican restaurant in the UK where I can try fried ice creamor b) put up a recipe with techniques to make fried ice cream.please

OMG....this just finished this and it was delicious! I too used the cinnamon pecan Special K and it was wonderful! Can't wait to share this with friends....what a treat! Thank you Gina for all your hard work and these wonderful recipes!

I made these tonight and they were delicious! The crunchiness of the cereal really gave it that fried texture I was craving. I will definitely be making these again. It's so great that it satisfies my sweet tooth without he added calories from frying. Thank you again for another great recipe.

We use Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds. But before I crush it up I drizzle honey on the cereal and toast it in the oven for a bit. When it cools I crush it up and roll the ice cream in it. My kids LOVE making these!

My husband doesn't really like sweets, and I was looking for some kind of treat to make with his birthday dinner. Once we got past the point of my kids asking if I was serious that they fry ice cream, all of us gave it a big thumbs up. Gina, I do not buy cookbooks because I think they are mostly clutter, but I am definitely buying your cookbook! I can't miss when I make any recipe from your blog!